Anti-Muslim bias growing in Europe, conference told

[kadafi]

By Daniel Flynn

CORDOBA, Spain (Reuters) - Discrimination against Muslims is becoming the main human rights challenge in Europe since the September 11 attacks and many governments are neglecting the problem, delegates told a conference on Thursday.

Violence by a small minority of Islamic militants and the West's war on terrorism have fuelled bias against Muslims, they told a meeting held in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Jewish groups at the conference expressed concern that discussion of anti-Muslim bias -- the first time the OSCE has tackled the issue -- might divert attention from anti-Semitism, which experts say is also on the rise in Europe.

A similar conference of the 55-nation OSCE in Berlin last year vowed to fight resurgent anti-Semitism in Europe and added discrimination against Muslims, Christians and other believers to its list of concerns.

"Anti-Semitism has been combated by all European countries in a very strong way. This is a very positive thing, but in this combat against anti-Semitism they are neglecting the importance of Islamaphobia," Doudou Diene, the United Nations' Rapporteur on Racism and Xenophobia, told Reuters.

"Islamaphobia is now becoming the central challenge of European countries in the field of discrimination and racism."

"Islamaphobia and anti-Semitism are two sides of the same coin," said Abduljalil Sajid, adviser to the Commission on British Muslims. "But Islamphobia has replaced anti-Semitism as the new sharp end of racist issues in the world wherever you go."

With more than 20 million Muslims living in Europe, Islam is the second religion in many countries. Reports of anti-Muslim violence and attacks on mosques have multiplied in the wake of the September 2001 attacks on the United States by al Qaeda.

France, whose five-million-strong Muslim community is Europe's largest, has seen attacks on Islamic cemeteries rise in the past year.



More at http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?storyID=8747143&type=worldNews

 

[Hajar]

"Islamaphobia is now becoming the central challenge of European countries in the field of discrimination and racism."

Its soooo true this I see it everyday here in Holland

Unfortunately its not getting any better, only worser and worser...

 

[MetSudaisTwice]

salam
may allah protect us all from such harmful things

 

[Hajar]

yeah its bad.. people are not the same as before...
If you just walk on the street you feel people staring at you..and some even say bad things...

But It doesnt scare me... Im even the only girl in University who wears hijab and I really dont care what people think about it.. And If they do have a problem with it they are always welcome to discuse such insues with me..

 

[kadafi]

Subhan'Allah. I will soon he heading to Holland at the end of this month. Islamophobia is indeed on the increase.

I once read a quote by a Christian theologican who said concernin' Islamophobia:

Islamophobia does not have a rational basis. Yet it affects intelligent people who are not generally racist; its roots are deep and complex. Could it be that Islamophobia is based in a sort of envy? For Islam painfully reminds us of what we lack. It highlights our lack of faith in our common values. We envy the unitary vision of Islam, its fusion of politics and religion.

 

[Muezzin]

I think all sorts of racism is wrong, and does stem from ignorance, and in some cases envy, as the theologist in the above excerpt said.

Oh, and Holland does have some good people. Like this guy for example

Trust me, he's Dutch. Read Dracula.

 

[imaad_udeen]

Could it be that Islamophobia is based in a sort of envy? For Islam painfully reminds us of what we lack. It highlights our lack of faith in our common values. We envy the unitary vision of Islam, its fusion of politics and religion.[/I]

I seriously doubt that the majority of cases of discrimination has to do with envy.

I think it has to do with a base misunderstanding of Islam and an irrational fear of terrorism.

 

[kadafi]

I seriously doubt that the majority of cases of discrimination has to do with envy.

I think it has to do with a base misunderstanding of Islam and an irrational fear of terrorism.

Misunderstandin' is an another factor but the theologican was rather offerin' an another perspective which seems logical from an different angle.

 

[Muezzin]

I think it could be envy though. I mean, put yourself in an Islamaphobic's shoes as you look at this:

The Muslim architect would go 'Mashaalaah, excellent'

The Islamaphobic architect would go 'Aww man, why didn't I build that?'

:brother:

 

[root]

I think it has to do with a base misunderstanding of Islam and an irrational fear of terrorism.

I think it is Islam that is misunderstanding the point. The "Dutch" are a very liberal country.

The direct slaying of their famous Artist/Film director and the calling for martydom upon the Muslim that murdered him for offending Islam shocked Holland who are asking the question. What makes Holland Dutch, and the rejection of the European constitution was/is a bid to control what it is to be dutch and to live under a Dutch constitution & not the multi-cultural political correctness of the European Union. "When in Rome live like a Roman"

You can bleat on about Islamaphobia all you want, the fact remains that such actions by Muslims only play into the hands of nationalists that don't want to see the watering down of their own nationalities..........

The killing of nationals within their own country based on Islamic rule cannot be tolerated, and so the dutch will not tolerate this.......

 

[imaad_udeen]

I think it is Islam that is misunderstanding the point. The "Dutch" are a very liberal country.

The direct slaying of their famous Artist/Film director and the calling for martydom upon the Muslim that murdered him for offending Islam shocked Holland who are asking the question. What makes Holland Dutch, and the rejection of the European constitution was/is a bid to control what it is to be dutch and to live under a Dutch constitution & not the multi-cultural political correctness of the European Union. "When in Rome live like a Roman"

You can bleat on about Islamaphobia all you want, the fact remains that such actions by Muslims only play into the hands of nationalists that don't want to see the watering down of their own nationalities..........

The killing of nationals within their own country based on Islamic rule cannot be tolerated, and so the dutch will not tolerate this.......

I totally agree with your conclusion.

 

[root]

I think it could be envy though. I mean, put yourself in an Islamaphobic's shoes as you look at this:

I think they would say, "Yes very nice. but I don't see where one would envy when the Christians have this:

The Christian architect would go ', excellent'

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

I think it is Islam that is misunderstanding the point. The "Dutch" are a very liberal country.

Islam is a system. A system does not have 'misunderstandings'. The discrimination of a group based on their ethnic or religious background should have no place in a so-called "liberal" country. One of the definitions provided by the Oxford American Dictionary for 'liberal' is:

favorable to or respectful of indvidual rights and freedoms​

When people cannot leave their homes without fear of being labelled as a terrorist or a follower of an 'evil' religion, this is not 'liberal'. This is hateful. Hate crimes are an abomination and should not be tolerated no matter how 'liberal' a people call themselves. Spreading lies, insults and misunderstandings about a religion is unacceptable, no matter which country.

The direct slaying of their famous Artist/Film director and the calling for martydom upon the Muslim that murdered him for offending Islam shocked Holland who are asking the question. What makes Holland Dutch, and the rejection of the European constitution was/is a bid to control what it is to be dutch and to live under a Dutch constitution & not the multi-cultural political correctness of the European Union.

What you cleverly refer to as "political correctness" is really emptahy, consideration and respect for one's fellow human beings. If the a country despises such values and opts for narrow-minded hate of all people who differ, then we have a severe problem.

You speak of "offending Islam" and "killing based on Islamic rule". This is part of a continual denial to acknowledge the consequences of spreading hate and slandering a people simply because they have different beliefs. Belittling the hate crimes only furthers one from understanding the reality of living in a multicultural world.

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

I think they would say, "Yes very nice. but I don't see where one would envy when the Christians have this:
The Christian architect would go ', excellent'

The true beauty of a house of worship is when it is filled with worshippers, not tourists.

 

[root]

Islam is a system. A system does not have 'misunderstandings'.

That is irrelevent, sine the "Islamic System" is not recognised in Holland yet it was implemented with the slaying of the Dutch film director\artist when he seemed to have offended Islam yet broke no rules as governed by his own country...........

When people cannot leave their homes without fear of being labelled as a terrorist or a follower of an 'evil' religion, this is not 'liberal'.

You failed to include fear from Ilamic ruling\law as the death of the above proved, and against salman Rushdie who still to this day cannot leave his own house through fear.....

how 'liberal' a people call themselves. Spreading lies, insults and misunderstandings about a religion is unacceptable, no matter which country

.

So you call the slaying of the dutch artist and the threat to salman Rushdies life "Lies, Insults and misunderstandings. What is their to misunderstand about these Dutch & British Subjects exercising a right to free speech...... Only to be killed and threatened by death due to an Islamic law not legal in the countries that these "offences" (for want of a better word) are suppose to be claimed.

You speak of "offending Islam" and "killing based on Islamic rule". This is part of a continual denial to acknowledge the consequences of spreading hate and slandering a people simply because they have different beliefs. Belittling the hate crimes only furthers one from understanding the reality of living in a multicultural world.

Oh, right so it was the film directors fault he was murdered on religious grounds...... Or maybe you should educate yourself into his cold blooded murder.

 

[root]

The true beauty of a house of worship is when it is filled with worshippers, not tourists.

Which scripture is that in...........

 

[Ansar Al-'Adl]

Looks like there's some miscommunication here.

Islam is a system. A system does not have 'misunderstandings'.

That is irrelevent, sine the "Islamic System" is not recognised in Holland yet it was implemented with the slaying of the Dutch film director\artist when he seemed to have offended Islam yet broke no rules as governed by his own country...........

The first thing I'd like to ask is, what does your statement have to do with my point? What does your discussion about the Dutch have to do with the fact that a system doesn't have 'misunderstandings' of people?

Secondly, you said:

sine the "Islamic System" is not recognised in Holland

What do you mean by 'recognized'? 'Recognized' by who? What significance is there to a particular group 'recognizing' a system?

Thirdly, you stated:

yet it was implemented with the slaying of the Dutch film director\artist

Can you tell me how you arrived at that conclusion? If I say that Asians are _____ _____ _____ (insert the type of profanities that Islam Haters are fond of) and then i get killed by an Asian, would you say that Asia had been implemented?

If I make the same disgusting insults on Jews, and I get killed, would you say that Judaism has been implemented?

when he seemed to have offended Islam

Please read the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_van_Gogh_(film_director)
Why have you decided to belittle his abuse as "offending Islam"? Do you feel that your statement accurately describes his continual profane abuse hurled at a minorty coupled with his complete blasphemy and malicious slander of God's revelation to Humanity?

yet broke no rules as governed by his own country...........

To what extent should abuse be tolerated? Do you not see a contradiction when a party claims to be preaching tolerance yet they do not prevent a man from spreading hateful slander about a minority, thereby inciting intolerance?

Let's discuss his actual arguments against Islam and we'll see if his claims about women in Islam are true or false. You bring forward the claim with whatever evidence you have, and we'll refute it.

You failed to include fear from Ilamic ruling\law as the death of the above proved, and against salman Rushdie who still to this day cannot leave his own house through fear....

I always find it so ridiculous when rabid Islam-haters whine about having to live in fear after they heaped years of profanities and abuse about a minorty. What do you expect Muslims to do for you, honestly? Throw a party? The blasphemous and hateful comments these indviduals have made reek of intolerance, insensitivity, crueltly, and malice. Is it a crime to do this to another group? Absolutely. We should not tolerate this kind of abuse.

Your comments are as ridiculous as if a thief was to say that ever since he stole, he's been living his life in fear of the police. If you commit a crime, and there is such a thing as hate crimes, then you should not complain when you see the victims of your crime enraged.

So you call the slaying of the dutch artist and the threat to salman Rushdies life "Lies, Insults and misunderstandings.

No, I call their words/teachings lies insults and misunderstandings. All the abuse that these two individuals have heaped on Islam is easily refuted. You are welcome to debate it with me. Bring some of their claims about Islam, and I will refute them.

What is their to misunderstand about these Dutch & British Subjects exercising a right to free speech......

Is it a right to be able to insult, slander, abuse, revile and vilify the beliefs of others? Since when is it a right to treat fellow human beings lower than dirt?

And quite frankly I find the notion of "Envy" from the west a silly notion since we simply need to look at Immigration figures since no one is battering the doors of Iran etc etc to get in and escape the West........

I believe envy of Islam was mentioned, not envy of impoverished countries today with muslim majorities.

 

[imaad_udeen]

Yes, the man spread terrible things in his films.

But murdering him was not right, it was, itself, a crime and the murderer(s) should be punished.

In the west we allow people freedom to speak their minds, even if it is terrible things they speak. All people should be afforded the right to voice their opinion and not to worry about being murdered for it.

 

[Muezzin]

Yes, the man spread terrible things in his films.

But murdering him was not right, it was, itself, a crime and the murderer(s) should be punished.

In the west we allow people freedom to speak their minds, even if it is terrible things they speak. All people should be afforded the right to voice their opinion and not to worry about being murdered for it.

Well, yes and no. There is freedom of speech, but you also have to have the common sense to know that you cannot just say anything without fear of retribution. For instance, one cannot badmouth their parents without fear of an oncoming slap.

 

[imaad_udeen]

Well, yes and no. There is freedom of speech, but you also have to have the common sense to know that you cannot just say anything without fear of retribution. For instance, one cannot badmouth their parents without fear of an oncoming slap.

I understand your point, but I dont think it applies here.

And no, you can't say anything you want everywhere in the west. Some European countries to have "hate speech" laws. I dont really agree with them, myself. And I have no idea what the laws are in Holland concerning that.

But in the US, hate speech is not a defense for murder. This was cold blooded, brutal, premeditated murder and should not have happened.